What Are Innovative Testing Tools and How Do They Help Assess Learning?
Posted By VinceWelsh on May 17, 2010
Assessment is important in education. In order to reform the education system, it’s necessary to evaluate achievement and how students learn best. Being held accountable for success improves not only student efficiency, but the schools as well.
It’s important for teachers to make classroom activities and exercises interesting enough in order for it to have the power to seamlessly combine assessment and instruction into one, shared field. By keeping assessment in mind while planning their lessons, teachers can plan their curriculum by identifying the results they are hoping for according to their grade level and subject area.
Teachers can assess their students formally and informally. To effectively measure how their students are learning, teachers can gather evidence both ways and eventually determine performance based on all of the information. Each student can have difficulties with different areas and it’s important for a teacher to see these differences in order to assist students better. Some of the difficulties students have that teachers should focus on include test taking anxiety, motivation, and classroom management.
Innovative testing tools come into play with assessment by helping educators and administrators determine what the best practices are and what may not work. These tools give educators ways to evaluate what to do more of and what to get rid of, therefore improving teaching skills as well as student learning. It’s helpful to know what students respond to and what doesn’t register. Teachers should also provide students with these tools so that they can be empowered to assess their own development and become self-directed learners.
Perhaps the most important function of innovative testing tools is to make sure that students and educators are meeting developmental and grade level standards. Sometimes it can be helpful to explore other ways to instruct students in order to enhance their progress. Some of the techniques used should be assessed as well. These assessment tools should help to give teachers the strategies, activities, and tools to get better results.
The difference between qualitative and quantitative learning is something teachers should also understand when assessing performance. Qualitative performance task projects reflect a deeper level of understanding rather than superficial understanding. This is why it’s essential that teachers should strive to develop authentic assignments.
Educators should also keep in mind the latest research when using different assessment techniques. Beyond techniques, assessment is also about communication and feedback between students and teachers. This is why it’s imperative that teachers create a positive learning environment for assessment activities.
Overall, everyone should keep in mind that effectively assessing education and learning can yield great results. This includes higher test scores, more efficient learning, and better teaching. The proper way to use assessment tools is to keep communication open, classrooms positive, and research measurable. It also helps if teachers keep a timeline or chart to keep track of growth t and what might need further investigation. Developing grading guidelines can also be useful in helping students achieve a higher level of academic success and understanding. Overall, these tools can benefit everybody involved in the education system and with education reform.
Vince Welsh is CEO of Teacher Education Institute. TEI offers rigorous, graduate-level professional development courses for K-12 classroom teachers. For more about TEI or innovative testing tools, visit http://www.teachereducation.com
